Podcast Summary: Book Riot - The Podcast

Episode: JAMES Wins the Pulitzer & Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendations Part 2
Release Date: May 7, 2025
Hosts: Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky

Introduction

In this episode of Book Riot's "The Podcast," hosts Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky dive deep into the latest Pulitzer Prize announcements, focusing especially on the unexpected win of Percival Everett’s novel James in the Fiction category. Additionally, they address various book recommendations catering to listeners navigating major life transitions such as marriage, parenting, and graduation.

1. Rebecca Schinsky’s Bold Prediction

Rebecca kickstarts the conversation by sharing her confident prediction that Percival Everett’s James would secure the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. She even went the extra mile by pre-recording an Instagram reel to celebrate the anticipated win.

Rebecca Schinsky [01:04]:
"I felt pretty sure. [...] I really felt good about it."

2. James Clinches the Pulitzer Prize

Jeff expresses his excitement over James winning the Pulitzer, highlighting the significance of Rebecca’s accurate prediction.

Jeff O’Neill [02:13]:
"So thrilled that James won."

Rebecca reiterates her delight, emphasizing the book's deserving nature.

Rebecca Schinsky [02:16]:
"Delighted."

3. Unprecedented Pulitzer Finalists

The hosts discuss the unusual aspect of having three finalists in the Fiction category this year, diverging from the typical two. This anomaly raises questions about the selection process and the committee's decision-making.

Jeff O’Neill [02:21]:
"Did you see this Lithub piece? [...] the committee requested the final."

Rebecca adds her observations about the finalists' obscurity compared to James.

Rebecca Schinsky [04:06]:
"Or mice 1961 by Stacy Levine from Verse Chorus Press. Hadn't heard of that one either."

4. Analyzing the Selection Process

Jeff speculates that the prominence and sales of James might have influenced the Pulitzer board's decision, overshadowing the more obscure finalists. He questions whether the judges were more familiar with James compared to the other contenders.

Jeff O’Neill [04:46]:
"In a lot of years, I'm guessing a lot of the Pulitzer board people haven't read any of the finalists once they're sort of handed the slate of books."

Rebecca concurs, mentioning the challenges the committee faces in thoroughly assessing each finalist.

Rebecca Schinsky [06:01]:
"Most of the books that are going to be useful in this zone are generally going to be the things that are like, here's how to think about this..."

5. Broader Pulitzer Category Highlights

Beyond Fiction, the hosts touch upon other categories such as History and Biography, noting that the finalists often hail from prestigious presses and are academically rigorous, contrasting sharply with James’ mainstream appeal.

6. Listener Book Recommendations

The podcast transitions to addressing listener requests, providing tailored book suggestions across various genres and needs.

a. Recommendations for Summer Travel Reads

Listener Request: Brianna seeks engaging, non-mystery books suitable for a 5-6 hour read during summer travel.

Jeff’s Suggestions [17:35]:

• This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
• Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Rebecca’s Suggestions [18:51]:

• Blacktop Wasteland by SA Cosby
• Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

b. Non-Fiction for Marriage Preparation

Listener Request: Heather, preparing for marriage, seeks non-fiction books offering wisdom and guidance.

Rebecca’s Suggestions [22:08]:

• Wedding Toasts I'll Never Give by Ada Calhoun
• Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan

Jeff’s Additions [24:01]:

• Listen by Katherine Mannix
• Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu

c. Overcoming a Reading Slump for a Middle School Teacher

Listener Request: Jessica, a middle school teacher, seeks books to reignite her reading habit, preferring non-mystery genres.

Rebecca’s Suggestions [31:49]:

• Blacktop Wasteland by SA Cosby
• Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

d. Engaging Books for New Parents

Listener Request: Beth seeks engaging yet not overly demanding books to enjoy while caring for a new baby.

Jeff’s Suggestions [57:44]:

• Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
• Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Rebecca’s Suggestions [57:44]:

• Deep Cuts by Holly Blackley
• Princess in Black by Shannon Hale (for younger children)

e. Books on the Publishing Industry

Listener Request: Jillian desires non-fiction books about the publishing industry.

Jeff’s Suggestions [40:36]:

• The Merchants of Culture by John Thompson
• Big Fiction by Dan Sinikin

Rebecca’s Suggestions [41:40]:

• Emphasizes Big Fiction for a comprehensive overview.

f. Expanding Literary Horizons for Diverse Interests

Listener Request: A listener aims to read more widely, including translations and literary works.

Rebecca’s Suggestions [62:56]:

• Beauty Land by Marie Helene Bertino

Jeff’s Additions [64:22]:

• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

g. Engaging Books Blending Pacing with Political Themes

Listener Request: A future husband seeks books with good pacing that also delve into political or larger societal issues.

Rebecca’s Suggestions [66:39]:

• Who is Government? edited by Michael Lewis
• Searches by Vaheini Vara

Jeff’s Additions [66:56]:

• Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

h. Books Similar to A Daughter of the Forest

Listener Request: Grace seeks books steeped in folklore similar to Game of Thrones and Kashiel's Dart.

Jeff’s Suggestions [60:18]:

• The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
• The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

Rebecca’s Suggestions [61:09]:

• Exit Zero by Marie Helene Bertino
• We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Berry

i. Books for Traveling to Corsica

Listener Request: A listener planning a trip to Corsica seeks fiction or non-fiction books set on the island.

Jeff’s Suggestion [69:01]:

• The Corsican Caper People by Peter Mayle

7. Conclusion and Future Episodes

As the episode wraps up, Jeff and Rebecca hint at upcoming topics, including a fantasy book league and more personalized recommendations. They encourage listeners to share their reading experiences and continue engaging with the podcast for diverse literary insights.

Jeff O’Neill [85:47]:
"We always like to know how the little baby recommendations went in the wild."

Rebecca Schinsky [85:47]:
"Good luck to y’all out there."

Notable Quotes

• Rebecca Schinsky [01:23]:
  "I really felt good about it. So I went for it and then I had a brief, oh my God, did I jinx it?"

• Jeff O’Neill [07:58]:
  "This is conclave. Conclave for books is what we've got right here."

• Rebecca Schinsky [24:30]:
  "And with everything going on, she's gotten really into whodunit."

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the Pulitzer Prize’s unconventional choices, particularly highlighting James by Percival Everett. The hosts provide insightful commentary on the selection process's nuances and extend their expertise to offer personalized book recommendations, catering to a diverse array of listener needs. Jeff and Rebecca's engaging conversation ensures that even those unfamiliar with the podcast can grasp the key discussions and explore new literary avenues based on their thoughtful advice.

End of Summary